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US4221581A - Phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters - Google Patents

Phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters Download PDF

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US4221581A
US4221581A US05/953,236 US95323678A US4221581A US 4221581 A US4221581 A US 4221581A US 95323678 A US95323678 A US 95323678A US 4221581 A US4221581 A US 4221581A
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formula
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plants
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Otto Rohr
Georg Pissiotas
BoBeat
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Novartis Corp
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Ciba Geigy Corp
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C205/00—Compounds containing nitro groups bound to a carbon skeleton
    • C07C205/27—Compounds containing nitro groups bound to a carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being further substituted by etherified hydroxy groups
    • C07C205/35—Compounds containing nitro groups bound to a carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being further substituted by etherified hydroxy groups having nitro groups and etherified hydroxy groups bound to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings of the carbon skeleton
    • C07C205/36—Compounds containing nitro groups bound to a carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being further substituted by etherified hydroxy groups having nitro groups and etherified hydroxy groups bound to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings of the carbon skeleton to carbon atoms of the same non-condensed six-membered aromatic ring or to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings being part of the same condensed ring system
    • C07C205/38—Compounds containing nitro groups bound to a carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being further substituted by etherified hydroxy groups having nitro groups and etherified hydroxy groups bound to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings of the carbon skeleton to carbon atoms of the same non-condensed six-membered aromatic ring or to carbon atoms of six-membered aromatic rings being part of the same condensed ring system the oxygen atom of at least one of the etherified hydroxy groups being further bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring, e.g. nitrodiphenyl ethers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N39/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing aryloxy- or arylthio-aliphatic or cycloaliphatic compounds, containing the group or, e.g. phenoxyethylamine, phenylthio-acetonitrile, phenoxyacetone
    • A01N39/02—Aryloxy-carboxylic acids; Derivatives thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N39/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing aryloxy- or arylthio-aliphatic or cycloaliphatic compounds, containing the group or, e.g. phenoxyethylamine, phenylthio-acetonitrile, phenoxyacetone
    • A01N39/02—Aryloxy-carboxylic acids; Derivatives thereof
    • A01N39/04—Aryloxy-acetic acids; Derivatives thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C327/00—Thiocarboxylic acids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to novel herbicidally active phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters, compositions which contain these compounds as active ingredient, and a method of selectively controlling weeds in crops of cultivated plants or of regulating plant growth which comprises the use of these compounds.
  • the active compounds of the present invention have the formula I ##STR2## wherein
  • R 1 represents hydrogen, a halogen atom or the cyano group
  • R 2 represents hydrogen or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group
  • R 3 represents a radical --OR 4 or--SR 5 ,
  • R 4 represents a C 1 -C 12 alkyl radical which is substituted by halogen or cyano or interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms, a C 3 -C 12 alkenyl, C 3 -C 12 alkynyl or C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl radical, a phenyl or benzyl radical which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, nitro, cyano or trifluoromethyl, or represents a heterocyclic radical having 5 to 6 members, and
  • R 5 represents an unsubstituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl radical or has the same meaning as R 4 .
  • the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals can be straight-chain or branched.
  • the preferred halogen atoms are chlorine or bromine atoms.
  • Examples of 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic radicals are furane, pyrane, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyridine, piperidine, pyrazole, pyrazolidine, pyrimidine, oxazolidine, oxazole, morpholine, thiazole, thiazolidine etc. These radicals are advantageously bonded through a carbon atom to the oxygen or sulfur atom which links them to the rest of the molecule.
  • Herbicidally active compounds based on substituted diphenyl ethers are known from various patent specifications. Diphenyl ethers having herbicidal activity are described for example in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,311,638 and in Swiss Pat. No. 424,326. These compounds either have an extraordinarily pronounced herbicidal action (German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,311,638) with less selectivity, or have a one-sided action, for example only against dicotyledonous weeds.
  • the active compounds of the formula (I) exhibit not only an excellent action against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, but also a marked selectively in barley, wheat and rice, especially in post-emergent application.
  • the present invention provides a novel group of phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid derivatives which, in low rates of application, are able to influence the growth of plants in a manner which is agriculturally advantageous.
  • the active compounds of the formula I of the present invention possess a general herbicidal action which is non-specific to grasses, especially in post-emergent application, and they can be used as weed killers in crops of mono- and dicotyledonous plants. They also possess an advantageous growth-regulating action (growth inhibition) and in particular, inhibit the growth of dicotyledonous plants.
  • exemplary of the useful application of the compounds of the present invention are:
  • grass and dicotyledonous plants such as fruit trees, ornamental trees, bushes and hedgerows, with the object of saving cutting work
  • the compounds of the formula I can be subdivided into different groups which comprise those compounds which are most suitable for the respective desired use.
  • Each of these groups comprises active compounds of similar chemical constitution and having the following formulae: ##STR3## wherein R 3 is as defined in formula I. ##STR4## wherein R 3 ' represents a C 3 -C 12 alkenyloxy or alkenylthio radical, a C 3 -C 12 alkynyloxy or alkynylthio radical. ##STR5## wherein R 3 " represents a C 2 -C 12 alkoxy or alkylthio radical which is interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms. ##STR6## wherein R 5 is as defined in formula I.
  • R 3 '" represents a phenoxy, phenylthio, benzyloxy or benzylthio radical which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, nitro, cyano or trifluoromethyl.
  • R 3 "" represents a C 1 -C 12 alkoxy or alkylthio radical which is substituted by halogen or cyano.
  • the phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid derivatives of the present invention have a low toxicity to warm-blooded animals and their application unlikely to cause problems.
  • the suggested rates of application are between 0.1 and 5 kg per hectare.
  • the compounds of the formula I are obtained by reactions of chemical synthesis which are in themselves known.
  • a first process consists in nitrating m- (4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxycarboxylic acid esters of the formula II ##STR13## wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula I.
  • the nitration is carried out with nitric acid and sulfuric acid at low temperature (-20° to +20° C.) in an inert organic solvent, for example a chlorinated hydrocarbon. Only a little more than the equimolar amount of nitric acid is used. In this way it is possible to bring the nitro group almost exclusively into the desired ortho-position to the oxycarboxylic acid ester radical.
  • the starting materials of the formula II can be obtained by condensation of a p-halogenotrifluoromethylbenzene (III) with resorcinol (IV) and subsequent condensation of the resulting m-(trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenol (V) with an ⁇ -halogenocarboxylic acid ester according to the reaction scheme: ##STR14##
  • R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula I and Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom.
  • the compounds of the formula I are obtained by providing the free hydroxyl group in the m-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenol of the formula V with a protective group, for example by esterification with an acyl halide (acetyl chloride) in the presence of a base, and then nitrating the acetylated diphenyl ether (VI) at low temperature in an inert organic solvent with the equimolar amount of nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid.
  • a protective group for example by esterification with an acyl halide (acetyl chloride) in the presence of a base, and then nitrating the acetylated diphenyl ether (VI) at low temperature in an inert organic solvent with the equimolar amount of nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid.
  • the nitrated and acylated diphenyl ether (VII) is then saponified in a basic medium to the m-hydroxydiphenyl ether (VIII), which in turn can be condensed with an ⁇ -halogenocarboxylic acid ester (IX) to provide a m-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-o-nitro-oxycarboxylic acid ester of the formula I.
  • R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined in formula I, Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom, and R represents a C 1 -C 4 alkyl radical.
  • the reactants are used in these process steps as far as possible in stoichiometric amounts.
  • the reactions are advantageously carried out in the presence of organic solvents which are inert to the reactants.
  • the temperature should be kept as low as possible.
  • saponification and condensation steps a temperature range from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent is indicated.
  • the final product is isolated, for example by distilling off the solvent and pouring the residue into ice-water.
  • Phenoxyphenols can be obtained from resorcinol monoalkyl ether and p-halogenotrifluoromethylbenzene, for example by the methods described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 61, 2702 (1939) or in Chem. Abst. 54, 922 h (1960).
  • R 4 and R 5 are as defined in formula I, in an organic solvent and in the presence of an acid acceptor.
  • Suitable solvents are almost all organic solvents which dissolve the reactants but do not react with them, for example ethers, ketones, certain stable esters, liquid hydrocarbons, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
  • ethers, ketones, certain stable esters, liquid hydrocarbons, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons Preferably trialkylamines are preferably used as acid acceptors, and, provided the solutility enables it, also alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates or ammonia solutions.
  • the starting materials are best prepared by saponification of an already existing ester of the formula I to the free phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid, which is then reacted with a halogenating agent, such as thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, phosphoroxy chloride or bromide, phosphorus pentachloride or pentabromide, sulfonyl chloride or bromide, to provide the corresponding acid chloride.
  • a halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, phosphoroxy chloride or bromide, phosphorus pentachloride or pentabromide, sulfonyl chloride or bromide
  • Example 1 illustrates the production of a phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid ester of the formula I. Further compounds which are prepared in corresponding manner are listed in the subsequent table. Parts or percentages are by weight.
  • the invention also relates to herbicidal and plant growth-regulating compositions which contain a novel active compound of the formula I, as well as to a method of controlling weeds by pre- and post-emergent application and of inhibiting the growth of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, especially grasses, cereals, soya and tobacco shoots.
  • compositions of the present invention can be in the conventional formulations.
  • This concentrate can be diluted with water to give emulsions of suitable concentrations.
  • Dusts The following substances are used to prepare (a) a 5% dust and (b) a 2% dust:
  • the active substances are mixed with the carriers and ground.
  • Granulate The following substances are used to prepare a 5% granulate:
  • the active substance is mixed with epichlorohydrin and the mixture is dissolved in 6 parts of acetone. Then polyethylene glycol and cetyl polyglycol ether are added. The resulting solution is sprayed on kaolin and subsequently evaporated in vacuo.
  • the indicated active substance is applied to the corresponding carriers (kaolin and chalk) and then these are mixed and ground, to yield wettable powders of excellent wettability and suspension power. By diluting these wettable powders with water it is possible to obtain suspension having the desired concentration of active substance.
  • compositions of the present invention influence the plant growth in different ways. Thus they inhibit, delay or prevent primarily the growth and germination. Their action is consequently both a pre- and post-emergent herbicidal and growth-inhibiting action.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
  • Plant Pathology (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel herbicidally active phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters, compositions which contain these compounds as active ingredient, and a method of selectively controlling weeds in crops of cultivated plants or of regulating plant growth which comprises the use of these compounds.
The phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters have the formula ##STR1## wherein R1 is hydrogen, halogen or cyano,
R2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl,
R3 is a radical OR4 or SR5,
R4 is a substituted alkyl radical, an alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl radical, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or benzyl radical or a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic radical, and
R5 is an unsubstituted alkyl radical or has the same meaning as R4.

Description

The present invention relates to novel herbicidally active phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters, compositions which contain these compounds as active ingredient, and a method of selectively controlling weeds in crops of cultivated plants or of regulating plant growth which comprises the use of these compounds.
The active compounds of the present invention have the formula I ##STR2## wherein
R1 represents hydrogen, a halogen atom or the cyano group,
R2 represents hydrogen or a C1 -C4 alkyl group,
R3 represents a radical --OR4 or--SR5,
R4 represents a C1 -C12 alkyl radical which is substituted by halogen or cyano or interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms, a C3 -C12 alkenyl, C3 -C12 alkynyl or C3 -C12 cycloalkyl radical, a phenyl or benzyl radical which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, C1 -C4 alkyl, C1 -C4 alkoxy, C1 -C4 alkylthio, nitro, cyano or trifluoromethyl, or represents a heterocyclic radical having 5 to 6 members, and
R5 represents an unsubstituted C1 -C12 alkyl radical or has the same meaning as R4.
In formula (I) above, the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals can be straight-chain or branched. The preferred halogen atoms are chlorine or bromine atoms. Examples of 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic radicals are furane, pyrane, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyridine, piperidine, pyrazole, pyrazolidine, pyrimidine, oxazolidine, oxazole, morpholine, thiazole, thiazolidine etc. These radicals are advantageously bonded through a carbon atom to the oxygen or sulfur atom which links them to the rest of the molecule.
Herbicidally active compounds based on substituted diphenyl ethers are known from various patent specifications. Diphenyl ethers having herbicidal activity are described for example in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,311,638 and in Swiss Pat. No. 424,326. These compounds either have an extraordinarily pronounced herbicidal action (German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,311,638) with less selectivity, or have a one-sided action, for example only against dicotyledonous weeds.
Surprisingly, the active compounds of the formula (I) exhibit not only an excellent action against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, but also a marked selectively in barley, wheat and rice, especially in post-emergent application.
The present invention provides a novel group of phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid derivatives which, in low rates of application, are able to influence the growth of plants in a manner which is agriculturally advantageous.
The active compounds of the formula I of the present invention possess a general herbicidal action which is non-specific to grasses, especially in post-emergent application, and they can be used as weed killers in crops of mono- and dicotyledonous plants. They also possess an advantageous growth-regulating action (growth inhibition) and in particular, inhibit the growth of dicotyledonous plants. Exemplary of the useful application of the compounds of the present invention are:
the reduction of the vegetative growth in soya and similar leguminosae, resulting in an increase in the yield of these plants;
the inhibition of the undesirable growth of suckers in tobacco plants, the leading shoots of which have been cut, thus promoting the formation of larger and finer leaves;
the inhibition of the growth of grass and dicotyledonous plants, such as fruit trees, ornamental trees, bushes and hedgerows, with the object of saving cutting work;
the desiccation of plants (cotton, potatoes) before harvesting;
the defoliation of cotton plants before harvesting.
The compounds of the formula I can be subdivided into different groups which comprise those compounds which are most suitable for the respective desired use.
Each of these groups comprises active compounds of similar chemical constitution and having the following formulae: ##STR3## wherein R3 is as defined in formula I. ##STR4## wherein R3 ' represents a C3 -C12 alkenyloxy or alkenylthio radical, a C3 -C12 alkynyloxy or alkynylthio radical. ##STR5## wherein R3 " represents a C2 -C12 alkoxy or alkylthio radical which is interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms. ##STR6## wherein R5 is as defined in formula I. ##STR7## wherein R3 '" represents a phenoxy, phenylthio, benzyloxy or benzylthio radical which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, C1 -C4 alkyl, C1 -C4 alkoxy, C1 -C4 alkylthio, nitro, cyano or trifluoromethyl. ##STR8## wherein R3 "" represents a C1 -C12 alkoxy or alkylthio radical which is substituted by halogen or cyano. ##STR9## wherein R4 is as defined in formula I. ##STR10## wherein R5 is as defined in formula I. ##STR11## wherein R4 is as defined in formula I. ##STR12## wherein R5 is as defined in formula I.
The phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid derivatives of the present invention have a low toxicity to warm-blooded animals and their application unlikely to cause problems. The suggested rates of application are between 0.1 and 5 kg per hectare.
The compounds of the formula I are obtained by reactions of chemical synthesis which are in themselves known.
A first process consists in nitrating m- (4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxycarboxylic acid esters of the formula II ##STR13## wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in formula I. The nitration is carried out with nitric acid and sulfuric acid at low temperature (-20° to +20° C.) in an inert organic solvent, for example a chlorinated hydrocarbon. Only a little more than the equimolar amount of nitric acid is used. In this way it is possible to bring the nitro group almost exclusively into the desired ortho-position to the oxycarboxylic acid ester radical.
Provided they are not already known, for example from German Offenlegungsschrift Nos. 2,639,796 or 2,732,442 or from Swiss patent application 9321/76, the starting materials of the formula II can be obtained by condensation of a p-halogenotrifluoromethylbenzene (III) with resorcinol (IV) and subsequent condensation of the resulting m-(trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenol (V) with an α-halogenocarboxylic acid ester according to the reaction scheme: ##STR14## In the formulae II, III, IV and V above, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in formula I and Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom.
In a second process, the compounds of the formula I are obtained by providing the free hydroxyl group in the m-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenol of the formula V with a protective group, for example by esterification with an acyl halide (acetyl chloride) in the presence of a base, and then nitrating the acetylated diphenyl ether (VI) at low temperature in an inert organic solvent with the equimolar amount of nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid. The nitrated and acylated diphenyl ether (VII) is then saponified in a basic medium to the m-hydroxydiphenyl ether (VIII), which in turn can be condensed with an α-halogenocarboxylic acid ester (IX) to provide a m-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-o-nitro-oxycarboxylic acid ester of the formula I.
The sequence of this process can be illustrated by the following reaction scheme: ##STR15## In the above formulae, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in formula I, Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom, and R represents a C1 -C4 alkyl radical. The reactants are used in these process steps as far as possible in stoichiometric amounts. The reactions are advantageously carried out in the presence of organic solvents which are inert to the reactants. In the nitration steps, the temperature should be kept as low as possible. In the saponification and condensation steps, a temperature range from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent is indicated.
In certain condensation steps in which a halogen atom is removed or hydrogen halide is formed, the corresponding amount of an acid acceptor should be employed in the reaction.
When the reaction is complete, the final product is isolated, for example by distilling off the solvent and pouring the residue into ice-water.
Suitable solvents for these reactions are in particular organic aprotic solvents or solvent mixtures which dissolve the reactants but do not react with them, for example acetic acid, ethyl acetate, ketones, halogenated hydrocarbons, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and also ethers of higher boiling point.
Some of the starting materials are known. Starting materials of these formulae which are not known can be prepared by conventional methods and techniques. Phenoxyphenols can be obtained from resorcinol monoalkyl ether and p-halogenotrifluoromethylbenzene, for example by the methods described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 61, 2702 (1939) or in Chem. Abst. 54, 922h (1960).
The phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters of the formula I are also obtained by reacting a phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid halide of the formula X ##STR16## wherein R1 and R2 are as defined in formula I and Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom, with an alcohol of the formula R4 OH or with a thiol of the formula
R.sub.5 SH
wherein R4 and R5 are as defined in formula I, in an organic solvent and in the presence of an acid acceptor.
Suitable solvents are almost all organic solvents which dissolve the reactants but do not react with them, for example ethers, ketones, certain stable esters, liquid hydrocarbons, aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Preferably trialkylamines are preferably used as acid acceptors, and, provided the solutility enables it, also alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates or ammonia solutions.
The starting materials are best prepared by saponification of an already existing ester of the formula I to the free phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid, which is then reacted with a halogenating agent, such as thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, phosphoroxy chloride or bromide, phosphorus pentachloride or pentabromide, sulfonyl chloride or bromide, to provide the corresponding acid chloride.
The following Example illustrates the production of a phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid ester of the formula I. Further compounds which are prepared in corresponding manner are listed in the subsequent table. Parts or percentages are by weight.
EXAMPLE 2-[Nitro-5-(2'-chloro-4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid allyl ester ##STR17## 20 g of trimethylamine are added dropwise at 5°-15° C. to a solution of 42.5 g of (α-[2-nitro-3-(2'-chloro-4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionyl chloride and 12 g of allyl alcohol in 150 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. Then 50 ml of water are added and the organic phase is separated, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilled off. Distillation in a high vacuum affords 20.8 g of a viscous oil with a boiling point of 200°-210° C. at 0.04 torr.
The following compounds of the formula I are prepared in analogous manner:
______________________________________                                    
 ##STR18##                                                                
 No.  R.sub.1                                                             
             ##STR19##              (°C.)constantphysical          
______________________________________                                    
1    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR20##             b.p. 200°-210°/ 0.04     
                                   torr                                   
2    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR21##             b.p. 192°-204°/ 0.05     
                                   torr                                   
3    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR22##             m.p. 74°-76°             
4    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR23##             m.p.  119°-121°          
5    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR24##             viscous oil                            
6    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR25##             viscous oil                            
7    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR26##             viscous oil                            
8    Cl                                                                   
             ##STR27##             viscous oil                            
9    H                                                                    
             ##STR28##             viscous oil                            
10   H                                                                    
             ##STR29##                                                    
11   H                                                                    
             ##STR30##                                                    
12   H                                                                    
             ##STR31##                                                    
13   H                                                                    
             ##STR32##                                                    
14   H                                                                    
             ##STR33##                                                    
15   CN                                                                   
             ##STR34##                                                    
16   CN                                                                   
             ##STR35##                                                    
17   CN                                                                   
             ##STR36##                                                    
18   CN                                                                   
             ##STR37##                                                    
19   CN                                                                   
             ##STR38##                                                    
20   CN                                                                   
             ##STR39##                                                    
21   CN                                                                   
             ##STR40##                                                    
22   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR41##             b.p. 230°0.001 torr             
23   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR42##             viscous oil                            
24   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR43##             m.p. 64°-67°             
25   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR44##             viscous oil                            
26   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR45##             viscous oil                            
27   H                                                                    
             ##STR46##                                                    
28   H                                                                    
             ##STR47##                                                    
29   CN                                                                   
             ##STR48##                                                    
30   CN                                                                   
             ##STR49##                                                    
31   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR50##             viscous oil                            
32   Cl                                                                   
             ##STR51##             viscous oil                            
______________________________________
The invention also relates to herbicidal and plant growth-regulating compositions which contain a novel active compound of the formula I, as well as to a method of controlling weeds by pre- and post-emergent application and of inhibiting the growth of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, especially grasses, cereals, soya and tobacco shoots.
The compositions of the present invention can be in the conventional formulations.
The compositions of the present invention are obtained in known manner by homogeneously mixing and grinding active substances (compounds) of the formula I with suitable carriers, with or without the addition of dispersants or solvents which are inert to the active substances. The active substances can be processed to the following formulations:
solid formulations:
dusts, tracking powders, granules (coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules);
active substance concentrates which are dispersible in water:
wettable powders, pastes, emulsions;
liquid formulations:
solutions.
The concentration of active substance in the above described compositions is between 0.1 and 95%, preferably between 1 and 80%. Formulations can be diluted to concentrations as low as 0.001%. The rates of application are ordinarily from 0.1 to 10 kg, preferably from 0.25 to 5 kg, of active substance per hectare. The active substances of the formula I can be formulated for example as follows (parts are by weight):
Emulsifiable Concentrate
The following ingredients are mixed to manufacture a 25% emulsifiable concentrate:
25 parts of 2-[2-nitro-5-(2'-chloro-4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid allyl ester,
5 parts of a mixture of nonylphenolpolyoxyethoxy-ethylene and calcium dodecylenesulfonate,
15 parts of cyclohexanone,
55 parts of xylene.
This concentrate can be diluted with water to give emulsions of suitable concentrations.
Dusts: The following substances are used to prepare (a) a 5% dust and (b) a 2% dust:
(a) 5 parts of 2-[2-nitro-5-(2'-chloro-4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid allyl ester,
95 parts of talc;
(b) 2 parts of the above active substance
1 part of highly dispersed silicic acid
97 parts of talc.
The active substances are mixed with the carriers and ground.
Granulate: The following substances are used to prepare a 5% granulate:
5 parts of the above active substance
0.25 part of epichlorohydrin
0.25 part of cetyl polyglycol ether with 8 moles of ethylene oxide,
3.25 parts of polyethylene glycol
91 parts of kaolin (particle size 0.3-0.8 mm).
The active substance is mixed with epichlorohydrin and the mixture is dissolved in 6 parts of acetone. Then polyethylene glycol and cetyl polyglycol ether are added. The resulting solution is sprayed on kaolin and subsequently evaporated in vacuo.
Wettable Powders
The following constituents are used to prepare (a) a 50%, (b) a 25% and (c) a 10% wettable powder:
(a)
50 parts of 2-[2-nitro-5-(4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid allyl ester,
5 parts of sodium dibutylnaphthylsulfonate,
3 parts of naphthalenesulfonic acid/phenolsulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensate (3:2:1),
20 parts of kaolin,
22 parts of Champagne chalk;
(b)
25 parts of the above active substance,
5 parts of sodium oleylmethyltauride,
2.5 parts of naphthalenesulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensate,
0.5 part of carboxymethyl cellulose,
5 parts of neutral potassium aluminium silicate,
62 parts of kaolin;
(c)
10 parts of the above active substance,
3 parts of a mixture of the sodium salts of saturated fatty alcohol sulfates,
5 parts of naphthalenesulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensate,
82 parts of kaolin.
The indicated active substance is applied to the corresponding carriers (kaolin and chalk) and then these are mixed and ground, to yield wettable powders of excellent wettability and suspension power. By diluting these wettable powders with water it is possible to obtain suspension having the desired concentration of active substance.
Paste
The following substances are used to prepare a 45% paste:
45 parts of 2-[2-nitro-5-(4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid allyl ester,
5 parts of sodium aluminium silicate,
14 parts of cetyl polyglycol ether with 8 moles of ethylene oxide,
1 part of oleyl polyglycol ether with 5 moles of ethylene oxide,
2 parts of spindle oil,
10 parts of polyethylene glycol,
23 parts of water.
The active substance is homogeneously mixed with the adjuvants in appropriate devices and ground, yielding a paste from which, by dilution with water, it is possible to obtain suspensions of the desired concentration of active substance. Instead of using the respective active substance indicated in the foregoing formulation examples, it is also possible to use another of the compounds comprised by the formula I.
The active substances contained in the compositions of the present invention influence the plant growth in different ways. Thus they inhibit, delay or prevent primarily the growth and germination. Their action is consequently both a pre- and post-emergent herbicidal and growth-inhibiting action.
The novel active substances of the formula I have a good action against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds as well as a pronounced selectivity in barley, wheat and rice, especially in post-emergent application.
The following test methods were employed to establish the usefulness of the compounds of the formula I as pre- and post-emergent herbicides.
Preemergent herbicidal action (germination inhibition)
In a greenhouse, immediately after sowing the test plants in seed dishes the surface of the soil is treated with an aqueous suspension of the active substances obtained from a 25% wettable powder. Different concentration series were used, corresponding to 4 to 2 kg of active substance per hectare respectively. The seed dishes are kept in the greenhouse at 22°-25° C. and 50 to 70% relative humidity. The test is evaluated 3 weeks later according to the following rating:
______________________________________                                    
1       =     plants have not germinated or are totally                   
              withered                                                    
2-8     =     intermediate stages of damage                               
9       =     plants undamaged (as untreated control).                    
______________________________________
Post-emergent herbicidal action (Contract herbicide)
A large number (at least 7) of weeds and cultivated plants, both mono- and dicotyledonous, were sprayed after emergence in the 4- to 6-leaf stage with an aqueous active substance emulsion in rates of 0.5 and 1 kg of active substance per hectare and kept at 24°-26° C. and 45-60% relative humidity. The test was evaluated, as in the preemergent test, 15 days after treatment in accordance with the same rating.
Pre-emergent 
______________________________________                                    
             Compound No.                                                 
rate of application                                                       
               1         2         A                                      
in kg/ha       4       2     4     2   4     2                            
______________________________________                                    
Plant                                                                     
barley         5       7     6     8   1     1                            
wheat          9       9     9     9   1     1                            
maize          6       8     2     4   2     2                            
avena fatua    2       3     6     8   1     1                            
lolium perenne 5       5     6     9   1     1                            
alopecurus myos.                                                          
               1       1     3     6   1     1                            
cyperus esc.   2       4     2     3   4     9                            
rottboellia exalt.                                                        
               2       5     3     7   1     1                            
digitaria sang.                                                           
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
setaria italica                                                           
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
echinochloa c.g.                                                          
               1       1     1     2   1     1                            
sida spinosa   1       1     1     1   1     1                            
sesbania exaltata                                                         
               1       1     1     4   1     1                            
amaranthus retrof.                                                        
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
sinapis alba   1       1     1     1   1     3                            
ipomoea purp.  1       1     1     1   1     1                            
galium aparine 1       1     1     1   1     1                            
pastinaca sativa                                                          
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
rumex sp.      1       1     1     1   1     1                            
chrysanthemum l.                                                          
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
abutilon sp.   1       1     1     1   1     1                            
solanum nigrum 1       1     1     1   1     1                            
______________________________________                                    
 A = 2chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-3' -ethoxy-4'-nitro-diphenyl ether, known  
 from German Offenlegungsschrift 2 311 638 (Compound 3 Z.)
Post-emergent 
______________________________________                                    
             Compound No.                                                 
             1       2         A                                          
kg/ha          1        0.5  1     0.5 1     0.5                          
______________________________________                                    
Plant                                                                     
barley         6       7     4     7   1     1                            
wheat          7       8     6     8   2     2                            
rice           6       8     3     8   1     1                            
avena fatua    6       7     3     7   1     1                            
lolium perenne 2       2     3     6   1     1                            
alopecurus myos.                                                          
               2       4     2     2   1     1                            
cyperus esc.   5       9     3     3   3     3                            
rottboellia exalt.                                                        
               3       4     2     4   1     2                            
digitaria sang.                                                           
               1       2     1     2   1     1                            
sectaria italica                                                          
               1       2     1     1   1     1                            
echinochloa c.g.                                                          
               1       1     1     2   1     1                            
sida spinosa   1       1     1     2   2     2                            
sesbania exalt.                                                           
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
amaranthus retro.                                                         
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
sinapis alba   1       1     1     1   1     1                            
impomoea purp. 1       1     1     1   1     1                            
galium aparine 2       2     1     1   1     1                            
pastinaca sativa                                                          
               1       1     1     1   1     1                            
chrysanthemum leuc.                                                       
               1       1     1     1   4     4                            
abutilon sp.   1       1     1     1   1     1                            
solanum nigrum 1       1     1     1   1     1                            
matricaria cham.                                                          
               1       1     1     1   2     2                            
______________________________________
The compounds of the formula I also possess advantageous growth-regulating effects. They are suitable for the defoliation and desiccation of non-lignified parts of plants above the soil, in particular for the defoliation and desiccation of cotton plants, leguminosae, sorghum, potatoes and vines before harvesting. This action was testet as follows:
Defoliation and desiccation
Cotton plants of the variety "Delta Pine" are reared in a greenhouse. After blossoming, they are sprayed with an active substances suspension in amounts corresponding to a field rate of application of 1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 kg per hectare. The plants are then left in the greenhouse and the test is evaluated 15 days after treatment.
Defoliation: The leaves are counted before treatment and when evaluating the test. The loss is noted and expressed in accordance with the rating below.
Desiccation: The leaves remaining on the plant are examined for their degree of desiccation and the result is likewise rated as indicated below:
9=0-11% defoliation or desiccation
8=11-22% defoliation or desiccation
7=23-33% defoliation or desiccation
2=78-88% defoliation or desiccation
1=89-100% defoliation or desiccation
______________________________________                                    
 Compound                                                                 
rate of application                                                       
               Defoliation (Desiccation)                                  
in kg/ha       1.2    0.6      0.3                                        
______________________________________                                    
No. 1          1(1)   1(1)     1(1)                                       
No. 2          2(1)   2(1)     3(1)                                       
B              4(1)   7(2)     7(3)                                       
______________________________________

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:
1. 2-[2-Nitro-5-(2'-chloro-4'-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-phenoxy] propionic acid methoxyethyl ester.
2. A herbicidal and plant growth-regulating composition which contains as active ingredient an effective amount of the compound of claim 1, together with the inert adjuvants conventionally employed therein.
3. A method of selectively controlling weeds in crops of cultivated plants which comprises applying thereto a herbicidally effective amount of the compound of claim 1.
4. A method of regulating plant growth which comprises applying to said plants an effective growth regulating amount of the compound of claim 1.
5. A method of desiccating and defoliating cotton and potatoes shortly before harvesting, which comprises applying thereto an effective desiccating and defoliating amount of the compound of claim 1.
US05/953,236 1977-10-25 1978-10-20 Phenoxyphenoxyalkanecarboxylic acid esters Expired - Lifetime US4221581A (en)

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US4452992A (en) * 1983-01-13 1984-06-05 Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Process for the production of ethoxycarbonylmethyl 5-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoro-methylphenoxy)-2-nitro-α-phenoxy-propionate
US4509970A (en) * 1981-12-17 1985-04-09 Zoecon Corporation Substituted phenylphosphinyloxy- and phosphinylthio-iminocarboxylates useful for the control of weeds
US4517010A (en) * 1980-02-01 1985-05-14 Rhone-Poulenc Inc. 2-Nitro-5(substituted-phenoxy) benzoyl derivatives as herbicides
US4634464A (en) * 1979-05-11 1987-01-06 Ppg Industries, Inc. Defoliant method

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GR68765B (en) * 1979-06-20 1982-02-17 Rohm & Haas
DE3319289A1 (en) * 1983-05-27 1984-11-29 Bayer Ag, 5090 Leverkusen OPTICALLY ACTIVE PHENOXYPROPIONIC ACID ESTER

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US3784635A (en) * 1969-04-25 1974-01-08 Mobil Oil Corp Substituted phenoxybenzoic acids and esters thereof
US4106925A (en) * 1975-11-20 1978-08-15 Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. Novel herbicidally active, nuclear-substituted phenoxy-phenoxy-alkanecarboxylic acid derivatives and use thereof for controlling grass-like weeds
US4134753A (en) * 1976-07-20 1979-01-16 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Herbicidal agents

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US4046798A (en) * 1973-02-12 1977-09-06 Rohm And Haas Company Herbicidal 4-trifluoromethyl-4'nitrodiphenyl ethers
GB1560416A (en) * 1975-09-03 1980-02-06 Rohm & Haas Trifluoromethylphenyl derivatives
NZ181994A (en) * 1975-09-27 1978-09-20 Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (2-chloro-4-trifluorom-ethylphenoxy)-phenoxy acids,esters,ethers,amides and nitriles and herbicidal compositions
DE2628384C2 (en) * 1976-06-24 1984-09-27 Hoechst Ag, 6230 Frankfurt 2- (4-Phenoxyphenoxy) - or 2- (4-Benzylphenoxy) propionic acid derivatives, process for their preparation and their use as plant treatment agents
US4059435A (en) * 1976-08-31 1977-11-22 Rohm And Haas Company Herbicidal 4-trifluoromethyl-3-cyanoalkoxy-4-nitro diphenyl ethers

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US3784635A (en) * 1969-04-25 1974-01-08 Mobil Oil Corp Substituted phenoxybenzoic acids and esters thereof
US4106925A (en) * 1975-11-20 1978-08-15 Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. Novel herbicidally active, nuclear-substituted phenoxy-phenoxy-alkanecarboxylic acid derivatives and use thereof for controlling grass-like weeds
US4134753A (en) * 1976-07-20 1979-01-16 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Herbicidal agents

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4634464A (en) * 1979-05-11 1987-01-06 Ppg Industries, Inc. Defoliant method
US4517010A (en) * 1980-02-01 1985-05-14 Rhone-Poulenc Inc. 2-Nitro-5(substituted-phenoxy) benzoyl derivatives as herbicides
US4509970A (en) * 1981-12-17 1985-04-09 Zoecon Corporation Substituted phenylphosphinyloxy- and phosphinylthio-iminocarboxylates useful for the control of weeds
US4452992A (en) * 1983-01-13 1984-06-05 Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Process for the production of ethoxycarbonylmethyl 5-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoro-methylphenoxy)-2-nitro-α-phenoxy-propionate

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EP0001641B1 (en) 1981-11-18
JPS5473744A (en) 1979-06-13
IL55871A0 (en) 1979-01-31

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